TC Dean Celebrates 90 Years
According to his college bio, when Thomas “TC” Dean became the first African American graduate at Grand Canyon in 1959, he laughed instead of crying at the commencement ceremony because of how seemingly impossible it was for him to attend college after growing up in segregated Phoenix in the early 1950s. Five decades after graduating from Grand Canyon, Dean was brought to tears when he was inducted into the GCU Alumni Hall of Fame on March 6, 2020. On Saturday evening at the Salvation Army Kroc Center on East Broadway in South Phoenix, Dean shed a few more tears as friends and family came together to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Dean, who was immortalized for being GCU’s first African American graduate, a record-setting Lopes basketball player and an Education graduate who became a teacher and administrator in Phoenix schools for 50 years. All he could say then was, “To God be the glory.”
The event’s emcee and resident comic, Alvin “Just Al” Battle, asked members in attendance to share a few memories about their encounters with Mr. Dean. One was Paul Coro, a staff member at GCU and writer, spoke about Dean having to walk seven miles to campus every day to attend school and the fortitude it took to graduate. The students voted him as “Campus Favorite” for his senior year.
Rick Davis, a GCU Alum, who played basketball for the Antelopes under the tutelage of Coach Shumate, expressed that it was Mr. Dean’s influence that led him to his alma mater.
Former Phoenix Union and Stanford standout Rev. Darrell Grissum shared a story. “When Mr. Dean arrived in Phoenix on the train as a youngster with no shoes, he could have very easily stopped, but he didn’t and I’m so glad you didn’t. I pray that God will let you live as long as you want and never want, as long as you live.”
Mr. Dean’s family and friends told stories about his influence and love for them. About how he played dominoes and how he was accused of playing the game. The cookouts and the big smile with open arms and how he helped get jobs for his people right there at the center and encouraged his students at Dunbar to strive to be the best.
His youngest daughter Sherilyn Dean Mason and family planned and orchestrated this memorable occasion that left everyone in attendance feeling warm and fuzzy about her father, the legendary, Thomas ‘TC” Dean.
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